Fishing Cat Conservation and Research Project - Cat Specialist Group

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Sites where intensive surveys have been carried out as part of this project. Green points indicate sites where fishing cats have been documented. Methods We identify and prioritize potential fishing cat conservation sites through networking, reviewing historical data, and by using predictive models based on fishing cat habitat associations. On the ground, we carry out preliminary surveys of likely sign and attempt to confirm fishing cat presence, area of occurrence, and breeding through the use of automated still and video cameras. We have initiated a live-trapping and radio telemetry program at one site where breeding has been documented (Cutter & Cutter 2009) and plan to carry out parallel investigations at one or more additional sites. We conducted surveys for fishing cats in four locations in peninsular Thailand between 2003 and 2009. We documented fishing cats at Thale Noi Nonhunting Area and Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and found no evidence of the species at Klong Saeng and Maenam Pachi Wildlife Sanctuaries (Cutter2004, 2005). Currently, our survey focuses around the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and the surrounding areas. Project team setting up camera trap (Photo P. Cutter). Biological samples from captured individuals and from fresh feces are screened for zoonotic diseases and undergo genetic analysis to supplement field studies and provide insight into site and regional diversity and connectivity. We employ local residents and collaborate with protected area staff whenever possible so that knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm from project activities might form the basis for ongoing conservation action at all project sites.
Fishing cat documented at Khao Sam Roi Yod (Photo P. Cutter). The current telemetry and habitat evaluation work at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park indicates that, with the conservation of food resources and daytime resting sites, and the reduction of direct poaching, fishing cats can thrive in heavily human-modified agricultural landscapes (Cutter & Cutter 2009). This work is helping us to formulate straightforward, achievable, and verifiable management targets that we can now demonstrate are directly linked to individual fishing cat and population fitness Preliminary results In December of this year reports of two captive fishing cats at Khao Sam Roi Yot (Cutter&Cutter 2009) prompted us to carry out sign and camera trapping surveys initiated in the area adjacent to the southern boundary of the park. Once sign and camera trapping surveys had confirmed at least 10 different individuals, we began trapping, sampling, and collaring cats. To date we have captured fourteen individual fishing cats—7 males, and 7 females. We affixed radio collars on all but one, a three-month old male that we did not have a small enough expandable collar for. However, as per our field protocol, biological samples were collected from this individual for further genetic study and disease screening. Characteristic fishing cat habitat in southern Thailand (Photo P. Cutter). Next steps Important next steps for this project include on going monitoring and conservation of the population of fishing cats and protection of their refuges, organizing the data into a comprehensive database, conducting the data analysis, writing up the results periodically, recommending a plan for conservation and management of fishing cats and their habitats focussing around the Khao Sam Roi Yot. Fishing cat documented at Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park, Thailand, December, 2009 (Photo P. Cutter) We also see the importance of continuation of the conservation campaign that involves local community. At this state we have initiated local involvement and collaborate with local environment group and promote our project though national television, posters, brochures and through friends and will continue to maintain collaboration with people this way. Our other plan is to establish Education activity where an education team will be sent out to participate in school, and field activities. References Cutter P. 2004. Surveys for Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), in Klongsaeng Widlife Sanctuary, Surat Thani Province, Thailand, December 2003-May 2004: Report to The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. http://www.fishingcatproject.info/th/documents/cat_view/40-project-reports
Page 1: Cat Project of the Month - December

Fishing Cat Conservation and Research Project - Cat Specialist Group

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